Winter Workshop January 2 - 7, 2011
The 15th annual Winter Workshop will again be held at beautiful and historic Plaza Resort & Spa in Daytona Beach, Florida. Five days of Workshops fpr $615. Choose from 2- and 3-day workshops to create a week of quality instruction and networking with fellow metalsmiths and jewelry artists. Includes Meet the Faculty reception, breakfast and lunch Mon - Fri, and Auction Night dinner. Full meal details on the FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) page. Choose a class from Session I and a class from Session II.
Students who are unable to attend the full week of classes can sign up for a three-day workshop only from Session I ($490) or a two-day workshop from Session II ($335). See the WW2011 FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) page for included meals.
Instructors: Juan Carlos Caballero-Perez, John Cogswell, Andy Cooperman, Bill Fretz, and Marilynn Nicholson.
Registration: Sunday, January 2. Workshops begin Monday, January 3 thru Friday, January 7.
Application: Download your application here.
Course Descriptions: Download a printable version of the following text. Please note that photos shown are examples of instructors work and illustrate techniques to be addressed during the workshop but students should not expect to be doing projects that produce replicas of this work.
Supply Lists: Click on an instructors name and/or workshop title to go to a page with further details including more photos, instructor bios, and tool and supply lists.
Prerequite Skills: Some of the instructors have listed prerequisite skills under their course titles or within the descriptions. All students must have basic skills and be able to solder unattended. If you have any questions about this, please contact us.
Session I Mon. Jan 3 – Wed. Jan 5
101 : Alloys, Inlays and Patination
All levels - Basic skills necessary
Learn to combine the exotic copper alloys that lend themselves to rich patination: shibuichi, shakudo and kiromido with silver, gold, brass or bronze using various cutting and soldering techniques to create the dramatic puzzle effect of inlay marriage of metals. During this workshop we will explore the possibilities of using different colored metals in an exploration of the graphical possibilities of multicolored designs. Also we will compare different ways of achieving color patination for a rich and exciting resolution utilizing patination chemicals, including Rakusho, most known for its use in Japanese metal work. All of the above will be used for the construction of metal objects and/or jewelry rich in complex graphic possibilities. The artistic possibilities are endless. All levels - Basic skills necessary
All Levels: basic torch skills helpful.
Forging is probably the oldest metalworking technique. It is the classic method by which metalsmiths hammer-form, or ‘forge’, wire, rod or ingots. Forging is essentially a two-stage process: in the initial stage, the metal is shaped by a series of sequential hammering operations, transforming it into an object which possesses varied structural cross-sections and fluid graceful contours; in the final stage, the surface of the rough-forged form is refined by “planishing”, producing the characteristic reflective, subtly hammer-textured surface.
Fold-forming employs the selective stretching of a folded piece of sheet metal with a hammer to generate a diverse range of elegant, lightweight, three-dimensional forms which are virtually impossible to create by any other method. These forms, which require no soldering to produce, are lightweight yet structural, and are ideally suited to a wide range of jewelry applications.
Participants must have basic jewelry skills and a familiarity with tools and studio equipment. Required skills include drilling with the flex shaft machine, sawing, filing, silver soldering and basic bezel setting. Students should have experience with: rolling mill, torches, hammers, buffers, etc. Those who enroll must be able to solder unattended.
Imagine a more fluid way to incorporate a gemstone, an enamel or a found object into you work: A fresh way that went beyond the old standbys of prongs and bezels.
By understanding and then reapplying and levering the basic principles of stone setting we can develop new and more elegant setting solutions and fully integrate all sorts of objects into what we make. We can redefine what a “gem” or “stone” is and begin to approach our work in a new way. This concentrated, 3 -day version of the course is designed to break down some of the rigid walls that exist between ideas, process and materials.
Among the topics discussed: cold connecting, caging, back setting and certain advanced soldering techniques. A wide variety of tricks, short cuts and tips will be offered as the need arises.
All levels – basic torch skills helpful.
This bracelet forming workshop will emphasize technique rather than design. We will be moving flat sheet metal to form both concave and convex shapes. This will allow the maker to form complex sculptural jewelry by gaining expertise in shaping the metal with the stakes and hammers. If time permits, students may also do a bracelet with direct hammer chasing.
Bill recently wrote an article about these techniques that will appear in an upcoming Lapidary Journal Jewelry Artist.
All levels – students must have basic skills and be able to solder unattended.
Sharpen your knowledge of soldering and fabrication techniques while learning how to set irregular shaped stones and found objects in interesting innovative ways.
The workshop will inspire you to use irregular shaped bezels, work with rivets and cold connections to combine a variety of materials, set stones from the back, make partial settings using prongs, channels, tension, and tube settings. Soldering and special techniques needed to create unique pieces will be explored. Students are encouraged to bring favorite stones and found objects.
Session II Thurs. Jan 6 – Fri. Jan 7
All levels - Basic skills necessary
We will explore and experiment with various ways of utilizing the techniques of folding paper as the basis for application with metal sheet. We will use thin metal sheet for scoring and bending to create renditions of nature and organic forms. Students will learn how to maximize the design potential of bi-metal through experimentation with processes such as acid etching on bi-metal (copper/silver and silver/gold) as well as roll-printing, hammer texturing, chasing and repousse, fire texturing and the use of the flex-shaft as a texturing device. Basic forging techniques will be implemented as well in the creation of these metal objects and/or jewelry.
Intermediate and Advanced Level: competent fabrication and soldering skills required
Filigree is an ornamental wire-working technique in which multiple delicate, thin flat wire units (often having a beaded edge) of gold or silver are arranged and soldered into decorative patterns. Filigree work is characterized by its open, lacy appearance. Participants will learn how to fabricate the preliminary structural framework; various methods for making filigree wire; wire shaping and pattern development; soldering, and final finishing.
Students must be familiar with basic jewelry techniques such as sawing, filing and finishing and they must be able to solder unattended.
The belt buckle may be the most often overlooked or easily dismissed jewelry form among metalsmiths. Yet it offers a broad canvas ripe with design and conceptual possibilities for both men and women.
This two-day workshop will cover the basics of fabricating a tang and loop belt buckle as well as a special, one-piece loop around style buckle. Using these basic templates as a springboard, students will be free to explore their own designs, tailored to a specific belt or for a particular function. The class will include discussions and demonstrations along with additional topics such as advanced soldering and finishing as they arise. Come and explore a different area of adornment.
Since it is always best to build a buckle with a belt at hand, students are urged to bring a belt (one that is set up for a western style tang and loop buckle) to the workshop. A great source is Belts.com.
All levels, basic skills including soldering unattended required
Explore a new technique of stretching heavy wire of various shapes (oval, square, round, etc.) over pegs on an expandable pegboard. You will be able to make repeatable links that will form interesting chains and jewelry units. This workshop uses a new tool Bill has been developing with a grant through the Maine Technology Institute. The tool is expected to be on the market by Winter Workshop, but the class may be working with prototypes.
The jig forms oval and other shapes by stretching various shapes (profiles, 1/2 round , round etc.) of wire. It goes very quickly and is fun to do. The link pictured is an example using square wire. The Fast Track Pendant is a unit that slides on the 1/2 round wire formed with the jig.
Intermediate/advanced: Competent fabrication and soldering skills required.
Learn to refine the design catches and add detail to your jewelry by adding findings specifically made for a particular piece. Information needed to make tiny elements that move and ways to solder and construct pieces in close proximity will be shared. A collection of contemporary and historic examples will stimulate your imagination. Bench tips and descriptions of the sequence of making catches and mechanisms will be discussed and demonstrated.
Andy Cooperman John Cogswell Juan Carlos
Caballero-Perez
